The directorate, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said coral reefs are important to ensuring ecological balance and providing nutrition for the sea. They are also the habitat of many aquatic species.

Despite their significant value, Vietnam loses more than 50 tonnes of coral every year, excluding black corals off the coast of Hai Phong city and such provinces as Quang Ninh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri.

The loss of coral reefs will lead to the exhaustion of fisheries resources as they harbour 25 percent of marine species, according to the directorate.

It added that to recover the marine ecosystem, it is necessary to clean sea water while managerial agencies must ban destructive fishing and waste release.

VNA